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HISTORY OF THE GERMAN ELEMENT 
IN THE STATE OF COLORADO 



A THE5I5 

PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL 

OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEGREE OF 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 



BY 

MILDRED SHERWOOD MacARTHUR 



Reprinted from "Jahrbuch der Deutsch-Amerlkanischen Historischen 
Gesellschaft von Illinois," Jahr£an£ XVI, Chicago, 1917. 






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THE GERMAN ELEMENT 

IN THE 

STATE OF COLORADO 



THE GERMAN ELEMENT IN THE STATE OF 
COLORADO. 

ITS INFLUENCE ON THE ECONOMICAL, INTELLECTUAL 
AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. 

By Mildred Sherwood MacArthur, Ph.D. 
Wells College, Aurora, N. Y. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The plan of the present investigation, carried on during 
three years' residence in Colorado, and by a subsequent corres- 
pondence of fifteen months duration, embraces a brief his- 
torical sketch of the Germans in the State, an exposition of 
their services in representative pursuits and their share in 
developing the resources of the State, and a summary, with 
specific examples, of the influence of the German element on 
the religious, educational, political and social growth of 
Colorado. 

The printed book was the least source of material. The 
Morgan Collection of Colorado books, begun in 1885, by 
Edward W. Morgan, consists of over 1,800 volumes, but it 
requires only a glance at the titles some of which are included 
in the bibliography given in this study, to be convinced that 
there is little of scientific value among them. Practically no 
attempt has been made to study the various national elements 
in the State. The 37th Anniversary edition (Jubilaums- 
Ausgabe) of the Colorado Herold published in 1907, contains 
an account of the Germans in Colorado and of various pioneer 
settlements, and a review of Colorado's industries. 

The advantages and disadvantages attending research 
work in this vast field are readily apparent. An area of 100,- 
000 square miles, crossed by the main range of the Rocky 
Mountains, and having within its boundaries wide stretches 
inaccessible by any of the accustomed means of travel, present 
unusual geographical difficulties. However these are largely 
neutralized by the genial cordiality of the people of Colorado. 

— 3 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

The student in the cause of research is aided by a keen spirit 
of progress, a desire to encourage and spread knowledge. This 
was the welcome met on every hand, in all classes of society 
and in all callings, from the Governor of the State to the 
worker in the mine whose accent told his German birth. 
Several pastors of German churches manifested a deep interest 
in this work and supplied valuable information. To many 
more people of Colorado I owe the facts made use of in this 
study, and incidents and examples from which I draw con- 
clusions. 

Information concerning the most distant sections came 
often from my immediate circle. From distant mining camps 
and from isolated ranches came interesting data through the 
courtesy of students attending the State University at Boulder. 
Records of the University show a large German-American 
element among the students from its earliest days. Not only 
was information derived from them directly, but interest in 
certain localities was aroused by them, compelling a visit. 
Thus I have visited Denver, Pueblo, Boulder, Colorado 
Springs, Colorado City, Manitou, Cripple Creek. Victor and 
many smaller towns. I have had several hundred personal 
interviews with German residents and others, — pioneers, 
statesmen, politicians, professional men, students, bankers, 
farmers, industrial workers and tradesmen ; I have visited 
Germans in their homes, in their churches, and in their social 
activities. In this way I gained much valuable information 
and an insight into the atmosphere and setting of the German 
population, which alone makes possible an estimate of the 
subject of the influence of the German element in Colorado. 

An extensive correspondence was another prolific source 
of information. In reply to my questionnaire addressed to the 
school superintendents of the sixty counties, I received answers 
from all but three. Of these one, Moffat county, was newly 
created and had, doubtless, no information to give ; the other 
two were almost entirely Mexican in origin and interests. 
Whenever possible, I verified through direct communication all 
information derived from published sources. 

— 4 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

The oldest file that has been preserved in the Denver 
Public Library of the first daily newspaper in Colorado, the 
"Rocky Mountain News" for 1864, furnished items concerning 
the Germans in Colorado twelve years before the Territory 
became a state. The daily issues of the German newspaper, 
"Der Colorado Herold", for the years 1910 and 1911 show the 
interest and activities of the Germans in the State at the 
present time. It is from all of these sources that the material 
for the following pages was derived. 

Colorado is no exception to the rule that the far Western 
frontier has always been characterized by a predominance of 
the native American element in its population. 1 We are pre- 
sented with the fact in the United States Census Report of 
1910, that the Germans constitute 43% of the foreign popula- 
tion of the State. The geographical distribution is shown to 
be well balanced. The two largest cities, Denver and Pueblo, 
have respectively the largest and second largest German 
population in the State. 

These statistics show that the German stock could not 
become as conspicuous in Colorado as, for example, in Wiscon- 
sin or Missouri, where the German element numbers in some 
localities one-third to one-half of the population, nor could 
their influence become as strong. But surpassing the propor- 
tion of their numbers the Germans in Colorado have become 
an important element in the development of the resources of 
the State, material as well as social and educational. 

1 The 13th Census Report (that for 1910) shows that but 16% of 
the total population of Colorado was of foreign birth. Other figures 
in this Census are : 

MOUNTAIN DIVISION. 

Total Population 2,633,517 

German born 42,898 

German parentage (one or both native) 92,070 

Total Germans 134,968 

Total foreign born 955,809 

COLORADO. 

Total Population 799,024 

German born 17,071 

German parentage (one or both native) 38,811 

Total Germans 55,882 

Total foreign born 129,587 

— 5 - 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

CHAPTER I. 

THE HISTORY OF COLORADO FROM THE 
EARLIEST TIMES. 

INFLUENCE OE THE GERMANS ON EXPLORATION AND 
COLONIZATION. 

It might seem a very simple matter to trace the history 
of a commonwealth that has not yet seen six decades pass since 
the period of its earliest settlement. But Colorado presents 
exceptional difficulties because of the loss of valuable records. 
The great fire of 1863 wiped out the whole business section 
of Denver, and the flooding of Cherry Creek during the spring 
of the same year, destroyed not only buildings, but valuable 
maps, papers, and court records. Thus the materials for the 
early history of the Commonwealth became very scant. 

It was only a little more than one hundred years before 
Colorado became a state, that interest was first manifested in 
that section of the country. In July, 1776, two friars, Padre 
Silvestre Velez Escalante and Padre Atanacio Dominguez, 
undertook to explore a route from Santa Fe to California. To 
their efforts we owe much of our reliable information concern- 
ing the country at that time. In their descriptions they gave 
a glowing account of the grandeur of the forests and the 
beauty of the mountains and valleys, passing lightly over the 
roughness and impassibility of the country. Recent scholars 
deny the validity of all claims of exploration in Colorado 
previous to these of the latter half of the eighteenth century. 
They have also dispelled the once prevalent belief in the 
antiquity of the cliff dwellers, the ruins of whose civilization 
are still to be seen. To no distinct primitive race, but to the 
ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians, are assigned the 
curiously inaccessible stone dwellings in canons and mesas. 

The earliest authentic exploration in the Colorado terri- 
tory took place in the period of the Spanish control. France 
had lost in 1762 the sovereignty over the tract west of the 
Mississippi known as Louisiana. In 1800 France regained and 
three years later sold this country to the United States. The 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

Louisiana purchase stimulated interest in the West. As a 
result, the expedition of Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike was 
organized. Zealous explorers had other difficulties to over- 
come than those resulting from natural causes. A striking 
example of the discouraging effect of a single unfavorable 
report was the following. Major Stephen H. Long represented 
the region extending for a distance of five hundred miles east 
of the Rocky Mountains as unfit for cultivation and habitation. 
To this report Bancroft attributes the delay in securing it for 
the United States. Although such circumstances had a retard- 
ing effect on colonization, private expeditions of traders, fore- 
runners of the great fur companies, advanced from time to 
time into Colorado. The first important forts within the 
present limits of the State were erected by the Bent brothers 
in 1832. During the years immediately following, numerous 
trading posts were established, among them were Vasquez's, 
Sarpy's, Fort Lancaster, Fort St. Vrain and El Pueblo. 

Authorities assert that nothing of importance took place 
in Colorado between the year of Long's expedition (1819) and 
1858. In the year 1842 government expeditions were sent out 
under John C. Fremont, but no important discoveries were 
made thereby. 1 Hard times following the panic of 1857, and 
discoveries of gold in California aroused interest in the far 
west. Tales of successful prospecting along the Platte river 
reached the ears of westward bound adventurers, not a few of 
whom paused for personal investigation. Some, on returning 
to the east, organized expeditions for prospecting in Colorado. 
Green Russell, a Georgian, was a member of one of these 
pioneer expeditions. Of the original company of 42 persons 
that set out in the spring of 1858, Russell with a half dozen 
men were the only ones with sufficient persistence to remain 
until a moderate degree of success met their efforts. 

The political development of Colorado began at the time 
of these earliest settlements. In the autumn of 1858 a mass 
meeting was held in the settlement called Auraria, on which 

1 Charles Preuss, topographer, Fremont's assistant and companion, 
and Henry Brant, both of direct German descent, accompanied this 
expedition. Cf. Eugene Parsons, The Making of Colorado, pp. 88-116. 

— 7 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

occasion Colorado was organized as Arapahoe County. A 
representative was sent from this meeting to the Governor of 
Kansas to secure the sanction of the Kansas Legislature to this 
action. In the same year the first of a long line of petitions to 
effect the erection of a separate government under the name 
of the Territory of Jefferson was sent to Washington. It was 
not, however, until February 28, 1861 that Congress passed a 
law giving to the land between the 37th and 41st parallels of 
north latitude, and the 25th and 32d meridians of west longi- 
tude the name of the Territory of Colorado. With this single 
creative act the Territory had for some time to be content. At 
this time, with the Civil War impending, national affairs were 
too engrossing. Washington itself was threatened: Congress 
was occupied with business less remote than that of the 
distant Territory. The recently appointed Governor, William 
Gilpin, received verbal instructions to exercise his own judg- 
ment and to do his best, for there was no time to attend to his 
affairs. 

Constitution makers in Colorado had vast experience 
before they at last gained their purpose. A State Constitution 
was framed in 1860 but failed to receive the approval of the 
people. At the third session of the 37th Congress, 1862-63, a 
bill urging the passing of an enabling act, allowing Colorado 
to form a constitution, met with defeat. Congress granted this 
permission the following year but the constitution met the same 
fate as its predecessor. Finally a convention called in 1865 
submitted a constitution that was adopted. This act was con- 
firmed by Congress but was vetoed by President Johnson. 
Similar bills were revived and defeated periodically during the 
next decade. On March 3, 1875 an enabling act was passed, 
authorizing the electors to vote on the question of a constitu- 
tion. The Constitutional Convention was held, and in the 
following July the new state was admitted to the Union. 
These, in brief, were the events attending Colorado's political 
struggle for being. 

Many obstacles attended Colorado's rise to her present 
secure position. For many years this country was harassed 
by the powerful tribes of red men who dwelt within the terri- 

— 8 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

tor}'. Treaties with the Ogalalah, Brule Sioux, Arapahoes and 
Cheyennes are said to have existed as early as 1851. In 1862 
the depredations of the Kiowas and Comanches were of such 
a nature as to demand military assistance. Some attribute this 
unrest of the Indians to the Civil War: Bancroft says that 
the savages did not choose to let the white men have a 
monopoly on fighting. An attitude of insolence became general, 
and in 1864 a combination was effected between the Sioux and 
the plains Indians with the purpose of driving out or extermin- 
ating the intruders — for such they regarded the white men. 
Outrages were committed and tales of repeated horrors were 
brought to the ears of the terrified citizens. Only a few miles 
from Denver a whole family was massacred. At this time the 
situation became very serious. Mail communication by the 
Overland Route was cut off. For a distance of 120 miles but 
one station on the route remained. The only connection, with 
the rest of the world was by the ocean route to San Francisco. 
The red men continued their annoyances until forced to make 
peace by their too powerful foe. 1 

Indian wars were but one of the many discouraging ele- 
ments to the early settlers of Colorado. In consequence of 
the drought of 1863 great numbers of stock perished. Fire 
worked havoc in Denver, destroying at one swoop $250,000 
worth of buildings. But the trial was not yet hard enough : 
a winter of unusual severity followed drought and fire. With 
hay and grain at prohibitive prices and winter pasturage denied 
by climatic conditions, there was another tremendous cattle 
loss. The flood of the following spring was the final blow, 
though it proved to be the dark hour preceding the dawn. One 
million dollars worth of property was destroyed outright, farm 
lands were covered with a layer of sand and fruit trees were 
ruined. When we recall these almost insuperable difficulties 
and hardships, we are filled with all the greater admiration for 
the indomitable spirit of the pioneers. 

The chief attracting power for Colorado has, until 

1 For an account of the German settlement at New Ulm, Minn., 
and the troubles with hostile Indians, see A. B. Faust, German Element 
in the United States, Vol. I, pp. 484-489. 

— 9 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

recently, been her mineral wealth. Since coming into the 
dignity of statehood Colorado has seen two great "boom" 
periods. In the late seventies when gold digging was declining, 
a valuable discovery was made. The masses of carbonates that 
were cast aside by the seekers after the precious metal, were 
found to contain rich deposits of silver and lead. Soon the 
value of these metals increased many times, Immigrants 
poured into Leadville whose population in the first four months 
of the year 1879 grew at the rate of 1,000 a month; later this 
was tripled. The first smelter was completed here in 1878 ; by 
the end of the same year there were four others. In this begin- 
ning of the smelter industry two Germans were prominent, — 
Supt. Weise, of the original smelter, and A. Eilers who was 
owner of one of the first smelters in Leadville, and who later 
organized the Colorado Smelting Company at Pueblo. 

A period of dullness in the years 1883-'85 was followed 
by a time of great prosperity. The advance of "dry farming," 
especially in Weld County, drew fresh flocks of immigrants. 
The year 1890 witnessed the founding of the richest gold camp 
in the world, at Cripple Creek, at which time was inaugurated 
the third great mining "boom". Having sketched briefly the 
history of Colorado from the time of its earliest exploration 
and settlement, let us examine the records to discover what 
part the Germans in the State took in these early developments. 

The first city that was laid out and given a name in this 
new land was Montana, at the mouth of Dry Creek, six miles 
above the union of Cherry Creek and the Platte river. Later, 
the twenty blockhouses that constituted this settlement, were 
removed to Auraria, the first town of any importance in the 
region. In September 1858 St. Charles, the present site of 
East Denver, was incorporated. On November 17th it was 
reorganized and given the name of the former Governor of 
Kansas, John W. Denver. The claimants to the distinction of 
having built the first house in the new settlement were many. 
Philip Schweikert, of Columbus, Ohio, is said to have been 
one of the founders of Montana, and John J. Riethmann to 
have been the original builder in East Denver. 1 The latter was 

1 Hall, History of Colorado, Vol. I, pp. 181-82. 

— 10 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

the eldest of four sons of Jacob Riethmann, a native of Canton 
Lausanne, Switzerland, who came to Colorado in 1859 and 
took a large tract of farm land about four miles from Denver. 
Through the provision entitling a settler who erected a house 
to thirteen lots, this enterprising family came into possession 
of forty odd lots which later became valuable property. These 
sturdy German pioneers were prominent both in industry and 
in financial fields. The elder brother, J. J. Riethmann, is said 
to have carried the first mail between Denver and Council 
Bluffs. He held also the position of first president of the 
German Bank. 1 

Another German who was well known as a progressive 
and philanthropic citizen, was Walter von Richthofen. By 
plotting and selling the suburban town Montclair, he had 
cleared a fortune, and then planned to furnish the people of 
the vicinity with a park for public pleasure. He had erected 
a castle in splendid German style and was engaged on the work 
of laying out the park, when the scheme was checked by his 
death. 2 Johan Ernst Madlung, a native of Reichenbach, Sax- 
ony, was one of the first settlers in the town of Harman, in 
whose growth and incorporation he took an active interest. 8 
Another "first settler" was Charles Mater, a native of Cassel. 
He started the first building on the original town site of Lead- 
ville in June 1877. The grocery store which he opened, was a 
very successful establishment and became the headquarters of 
the town. 4 

Custer County became the seat of one of the most im- 
portant, though shortlived German colonies in the State. The 
leaders, Carl Wulsten, Theodore Hamlin and Rudolph Jeske, 
impelled by a desire to ameliorate the unfavorable conditions 

1 History of Denver, pp. 556-571. A brother, Emile, for several 
years Swiss consul for Colorado, filled various political offices, — repre- 
sentative to State conventions, county commissioner, etc. In the latter 
capacity, he secured for his locality excellent road and bridge facilities. 
Two other brothers, Frederick and Louis, and two sisters, Mrs. John 
Milheim and Mrs. Foreman, came also to Denver. 

2 Hall, III, p. 285. 

3 Denver and Vicinity, p. 607. 

4 Fossett, Colorado, p. 410; Kent, Leadville, pp. 130-131. 

— 11 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

of Germans working in Chicago, selected a colony site at the 
extreme southern end of the Wet Mt. Valley in December 
1869. Early the following spring the colony, consisting of 65 
families, (in all 367 persons) arrived and established the town 
named Colfax. Many reasons have been advanced to account 
for the early collapse of the colony, which lasted but six 
months. According to one authority, the colonists, being 
accustomed to city life, found themselves at a loss here and 
proved ungrateful. 1 Another says: "Lack of religious and 
social principles, and absence of military discipline left the 
colony to fall to pieces from inherent weakness." 2 At any 
rate the benefit aimed at is generally conceded to have been 
achieved independently of organization. Some took land 
claims, which subsequently became very productive. Others 
removed to different parts of the Territory, but all are said to 
have remained in it. 

The earliest settlements in Saguache County were made 
by German pioneers. In 1865, a number of Germans, mem- 
bers of Company 1, 1st Colorado Volunteers, among whom 
were Captain Charles Kerber (Korper), Lieutenant Walters, 
and George Neidhardt, settled at Kerber Creek. Peter 
Luengen, a native of Rhine Prussia, was one of the earliest 

1 Bancroft, p. 595 ; Hall, Vol. I, p. 542. 

2 History of the Arkansas Valley, p. 694. 

Soon after his arrival, Wulsten was made Brigadier General of the 
State Militia. He is the man to whom the community, and especially 
Custer County, owes more than it will ever repay. Through his tireless 
energy, he became one of the wealthiest citizens of the county. His 
reputation as man, miner, mine manager and engineer is an enviable 
one. It is said that his maps of mining properties may still be found 
in New York mining offices. Early in his experience in the colony 
(1871) his opinions concerning the mineral wealth of the region were 
published in the Pueblo Chieftain. These predictions have been tested 
by time and proved reliable. Concerning the Chicago Colony, the report 
was spread broadcast that it was an attempt on the part of the govern- 
ment to reclaim southern Colorado from democratic folly, which at- 
tempt, if successful, would be repeated in the San Luis Valley and 
elsewhere. Then when Colorado should become a state, the Republican 
party would be assured of its support. What truth, if any, was at- 
tached to this rumor is not known. 

Another native German among the creators of Custer County was 
the Hon. Charles Sieber, a native of Neissen in Prussian Silesia. He 
was State Representative in the first session of the Legislature. 

— History of Custer County, 694ff 

— 12 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

pioneers in the country. He is still fond of relating his early 
experiences. One of his narratives shows why the German 
pioneer was often through diplomacy able to win out when 
others, with less tactful methods, failed. While crossing the 
plains, Mr. Luengen encountered on the North Platte a band of 
Indians, 52 in number. As was customary on such occasions, 
a conference preceded any action on either side. During this 
interview, Mr. Luengen sat enthroned on his horse and won 
the hearts of the red men by trading with them for their buck- 
skins. In exchange for a skin he dealt out a cup of flour and a 
slice of bacon, and gave evidence of the shrewdness necessary 
for business success. 

With few exceptions the Germans in Colorado came as 
individuals rather than in colonies, and the instances are very 
rare where they clung together clannishly. This fact indicates 
the possibility of ready assimilation that the American nation 
delights in seeing in her immigrants. What the influence of 
the German pioneers in Colorado would have been had a more 
clannish spirit existed, no one can say. But what the Germans 
there have done in braving the terrors of the frontier, in pro- 
ducing order out of chaos, in developing material resources 
and in planting the institutions of a higher civilization in the 
new land can be learned from specific instances, selected here 
and there from the mass of material obtainable. The Germans 
in Colorado furnish an example of the typical German charac- 
teristics, long-suffering endurance, patient plodding, strict busi- 
ness integrity, respect for law and order, keen initiative in 
agricultural and commercial lines, accurate training and effi- 
ciency both in the foregoing and in professional fields, a sense 
of the importance of recreative enjoyment and a fine show of 
public spirit in the advancement of philanthropic and educa- 
tional projects. These were far from being the qualities that 
characterized their forerunners, the early trappers and traders. 
The task of these later comers, the German pioneers, was a 
difficult one. Henceforth thrift, economy and industry were 
to be in the lists with utter improvidence, wastefulness and 
sloth. Randall Parrish describes the easy access into a western 
community in these words : "The West asked no question of 

— 13 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

any man ; all that he had been in other days, east of the Miss- 
ouri, was blotted out. Here he stood eye to eye with his fel- 
lows, and no voice challenged him." 1 

To review the facts gained in this brief historical outline 
of the colonization of Colorado we found first that the year 
1859, perhaps the most interesting in the history of settlement 
in Colorado, brought several influencial Germans to this fron- 
tier community. The original builder in East Denver, and one 
of the founders of Montana were both Germans, John J. 
Riethmann and Philip Schweikert, respectively. The pioneer 
work of von Richthofen as public benefactor was noted. Carl 
Wulsten, another of Colorado's progressive German pioneers, 
was the founder of the Chicago Colony. At the organization 
of the Pioneers' Association (June 22, 1866) which was to 
include only settlers of the years 1858-'59, there were present 
Andrew Sagendorf, John J. Riethmann and George Schleier. 
In various sections of the state Germans were among the 
earliest settlers. The first permanent settlers in Castle Rock, 
Douglas County, where now fully 75% of the population is 
said to be German, were Jacob Bower, and the two brothers 
Benedict and Jacob Schultz. In Buena Vista, Chaffee County, 
a native German, Gustav Krause, started a pioneer tent- 
grocery. 3 Fremont County has always had prominent Germans 
among its residents. Of them we call attention to the follow- 
ing pioneers : William Kroenig, George R. Schaffer, August 
Heckscher, Mark Schaffenburg, Charles Boettcher, Frank P. 
Schaeffer, Michael Dueber, Rudolph Jeske, Augustus Sartor, 
Julius Ruf, and Albert Walter. 4 In Park County too, we learn 
of many German settlers. Jefferson County is proud to recall 
among its prominent residents the following native Germans : 
Adolph Coors, a Prussian by birth, Joachim Binder, born in 
Wittenberg, Peter Christensen, a native of Schleswig, Adam 
Ochus, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Adam C. Schock, a Bavarian, 

1 Randall Parrish, The Great Plains, pp. 337, 340. 

2 Hall, L, p. 396. 

8 History of Chaffee County, pp. 477-543. 

4 History of the Arkansas Valley (Fremont County), pp. 543-689. 

— 14 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

and Henry F. Wulff, born in Schleswig-Holstein. 1 Elbert 
County had among its German settlers August H. Beuck, a 
native of Kiel, Holstein, who, in his adopted country became 
a prominent ranch man. 2 Another successful German rancher 
was Henry Gebhard, a native of Baden. 3 Other Germans of 
note in Elbert County are Anton Schindelholtz, J. George 
Benkelman, J. J. Kruse and John Hoffman. 4 Prominent Ger- 
mans in Gilpin County are Jacob Kruse, mayor of Central City, 
1874-76, the Kountze brothers, bankers, Judge Silas B. Hahn, 
Charles Weitfle, photographer, Henry Altvater, Theodore 
Becker, Andrew Bitzenhofer, Maxwell Bolsinger, Henry Bol- 
singer. 5 A progressive farmer of Larimer County, John Hahn, 
was also a native German. Another German, Samuel Gam- 
mer, wins words of the highest approval from his historian. 8 
Some of these men will receive more detailed mention later in 
this paper, but, in a list of the Germans who aided in the 
pioneer work of settlement, they could not be omitted. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE INFLUENCE OF THE GERMANS IN COLORADO 

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MATERIAL 

RESOURCES :— MINING AGRICULTURE 

AND INDUSTRIES. 

With much of the West still unpopulated in the middle of 
the 19th century, there was needed an especial attraction to 
draw colonization to one section more than to another. This 
attraction, and a very sensational one in the case of Colorado, 

1 History of the Clear Creek Valley, pp. 558-599. 

2 Denver and Vicinity, p. 266. 
8 Denver and Vicinity, p. 378. 
* Supra, 519, 625. 

6 Hall, III, p. 408. 

8 Watrous, History of Larimer County, pp. 364-365. 

Other Germans in the vicinity are Rudolph Boeram, Dr. Schofield, 
Dr. Moench, Chris Molly, Watson Ziegler, Rev. Burghardt, Louis 
Wetzler, Frank Wicks, Peter Kern, Peter Scheldt, Vincent Demmel, 
John L. Herzinger, August Rohling, and Emil Loescher. 

- 15 - 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

was furnished by the tales of unprecedented wealth to be 
found in her gold mines. Gold mining, or indeed, mining of 
any sort, did not long retain its popularity in the Centennial 
State, but to it belongs the credit of having served as the initial 
stimulus to immigration. The history of mining in Colorado, 
pictorially represented, would resemble the main range of the 
Rocky Mountains that extends north and south through the 
State, with three great elevations separated by depressions. 
The elevations, or "boom" periods represent the Pikes Peak 
"gold fever" of 1859, the silver discoveries in Leadville in the 
late '70's, and the almost unparalleled gold discoveries in 
Cripple Creek in 1890. When one studies the thrilling ac- 
counts of mining in Colorado with a desire to learn what con- 
nection the Germans in the State have had with this industry, 
two closely related facts come to light. First, many Germans 
who were intimately involved in the mining interests in 
Colorado, advanced during their connection with these inter- 
ests, the cause for which they strove, and won thereby fame and 
wealth. Secondly, the cases are rare in which the Germans 
remained for a long time in this pursuit. This fact is easily 
explained. Mining is the most fascinating and perhaps the 
most tragic game of chance, absolutely incompatible with the 
typical German characteristic, thrift. When the German 
miner made his little "pile", he invested it straightway in a 
safer and steadier enterprise and turned to a profession or to 
a pursuit adapted to a life of peace and contentment. Shrewd- 
ness and perseverance are native German qualities which are 
of inestimable service in mining ventures. There are, in 
mining deals, many illustrations of the one characteristic with- 
out the other, — of dogged determination with no foundation 
on which to rest, and again, of shrewdness so calculating that 
it never ventures, — but it is the happy blending of the two that 
seems to produce the best results. 

A sufficient number of Germans have engaged and are still 
engaged in mining in Colorado, so that a history of her mining 
industry becomes also a page in the history of the German 
element. The thrilling tales of adventure that make up the 
story of the mining "booms", as well as the tragic despair that 

- 16- 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

followed not only in the times of general depression, but also 
upon individual failure, are too well known to require repeti- 
tion here. A recital of the accomplishment of German miners 
in Colorado would prove almost as familiar a tale, but a roll- 
call of some of the more significant names is highly desirable, 
that we may see how large a part the Germans have taken in 
developing this important resource. A veritable king among 
miners was a native of Minden, Prussia, August Rische, by 
name, who came to Colorado during the first decade of the 
mining excitement (in 1868) and made the valuable discoveries 
that founded his wealth. 1 Another native German who won 
distinction in mining circles, was Charles A. Martine, who 
began his mining operations in Colorado by opening an assay 
office in Central City in 1866. Impelled by the silver excite- 
ment, he removed the following spring to Georgetown where 
he made the pioneer demonstration of ore sampling and stamp- 
ing in Colorado. To him belongs the credit of being the first 
man in the State to manufacture silver bars, as well as being 
the original shipper of ores from Clear Creek County. 2 Philip 
Mixsell, of German parentage, erected the first custom stamp 
mill in Idaho Springs, owned several large mines and was 
proprietor of the Mixsell Tunnel, formerly the largest project 
of the kind in the State. 3 The famous Prussian Mine in the 
Gold Hill district was discovered in April 1861 by George 
Zweck, a native German who, recognizing at once the value of 
the ore, carried out his project of developing the mine though 
it was at great personal sacrifice. 4 A noteworthy example of 
a German who was attracted to this country by the tales of 
mineral wealth, but who did not long continue in the pursuit 
of mining interests, was Charles Mater, a native of Cassel. 

1 Kent, Leadville, p. 127; History of the Arkansas Valley, 207-388. 
Mr. Rische discovered valuable fissure veins at the head of the Arkan- 
sas, also the "Little Pittsburgh." Owned large interests in the New 
York Mine and in the San Juan and Rico districts. 

2 Denver and Vicinity, p. 479 ; History of Clear Creek and Boulder 
Valleys, pp. 521-522. 

3 Denver and Vicinity, p. 419. 

* Bancroft, Vol. XXV, p. 649, footnote. 
— 17 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

His long and active life in Colorado to which he came in 1860, 
was devoted to mercantile pursuits and to civic interests. 1 

We may conclude this brief sketch 2 of Colorado Germans 
in mining ventures with a typical tale of the hardships endured 
by the men who came as pioneers to the west in quest of gold. 
Charles Lerchen, a pioneer of 1859, was a member of a party 
of four that set out from Davenport, Iowa, to investigate the 
celebrated gold country. While on their journey they were 
met by men returning discouraged from the very land to 
which they were going. Their unfavorable reports disheart- 
ened Mr. Lerchen's companions, who decided to abandon their 
mission. At Fort Kearney they deserted the more persistent 
German, leaving him, as his only assets besides his indomitable 
will and courage, a yoke of oxen and a sack of flour. He 
joined forces with another company which also turned back 
within 200 miles from the goal. Finally after a trip of 90 days, 
Mr. Lerchen reached Denver, alone. 3 

As before said, Colorado began its career as a mining 
State. The gold seekers came with no other thought than to 
make their fortunes and then return to "the States". But 
many of the pioneers of 1859-1860, failing in their mining 
ventures, turned their attention to the cultivation of the soil. 
Before 1870 when the Greeley Colony attacked the problem in 
earnest, agriculture in Colorado was a primitive kind. The 
average rainfall of eastern Colorado is estimated at 6-15 in. 
per annum. This arid region was indeed, in early days, con- 
sidered a desert, unfit for the home of civilized man. Some 

1 History of the Arkansas Valley, pp. 207-368. 

2 Others who deserve mention here are John Zinsendorf, E. H. 
Gruber, Caspar S. Desch, Henry Kneisel, Christian Manhart, Fred 
Buckman, William Tick, John C. Kaufman, C. C. Miller, Joseph S. 
Beaman, Andrew Bitzenhofer, Barnard Schwartz, Samuel Neuhaus, 
Frederick Kohler, Henry Neikirk and Erl von Buddenbrock. Of these 
all but two, whose parents were Germans, were native Germans. 

8 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 635. Mr. Lerchen was born near 
Dresden in 1839. He at first engaged in mining in the Blue river 
country. At various times he was occupied with copper and silver lode 
mining in Custer and Huerfano Counties, and himself discovered sev- 
eral gold mines. In less than three years he had left mining for other 
pursuits. 

— 18 - 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

of the pioneers were familiar with artificial irrigation as it was 
carried on in California and in the Rio Grande valley of New 
Mexico. They made attempts at a similar sort of irrigation 
along Clear Creek, the Platte river and Boulder Creek and 
thereby established the fact that the soil was fertile and would 
under proper conditions, produce with abundance. Even as 
late as 1874 it was believed that the uplands were incapable of 
cultivation, but when it was discovered that the soil of the bluffs 
was as rich and as productive as the lower land, changes in the 
manner of ditch construction took place. It was then that the 
big canal corporations came into existence. The construction 
of great irrigation canals in northern Colorado, in the San Luis 
Valley and in the valleys of the Arkansas and the Grande 
rivers brought water to thousands of acres thus opening the 
land to settlement. The advantages of irrigation farming are 
everywhere recognized. The increased production soon re- 
places the original outlay for canals and water works. The 
increased gain both in quantity and quality of produce is 
causing Colorado to forge ahead as a farming State. 1 

The men who were active in organizing companies for the 
construction and maintenance of irrigation systems in Colo- 
rado, laid the foundation for her agricultural career. In the 
front rank of these pioneers were many German citizens. 
Chief among them were George Steady and Andrew Kluver 
who were instrumental in constructing the canals of the Water 
Supply and Storage Company, one of the largest and most 
important irrigation systems in northern Colorado. 2 Others 
who have taken active part in construction and management of 
irrigation systems are David Birkle, Fritz Niemeyer, Alex- 

1 At present water rights go generally with the land at the time 
of its purchase, which, when unirrigated, is of little value. Private 
companies build storage reservoirs and canals to convoy the water from 
them or from stream? to the land to be irrigated, the main canals being 
tapped by many laterals. From each lateral small ditches arc dug with 
scraper and plough to carry the water to the various fields. Colorado 
farmers began early to show their pride in raising produce of unusual 
excellence. The Rocky Mountain A'ezcs of September 3. 1864, tells of 
the remarkable stalk of yellow corn bearing six large, full grown, per- 
fectly formed ears, that was brought to Denver by A. Sagendorf from 
a farm 11 miles up the Platte. 

2 Cf. Watrous, History of Larimer County, pp. 482, 484. 

— 19 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

ander Milheim, Andrew Hagus, John H. Behrens, Joseph C. 
Cramer and Ernst von Buddenbrock. Five of these men have 
filled the office of president of various ditch Companies, Klu- 
ver, president of the Water Supply and Storage Company, 
Birkle of the Meadow Island Ditch Company, and also of the 
Beaman Ditch Company, Andrew Hagus of the Fulton Ditch 
Company, and Ernst von Buddenbrock of the Model Land and 
Irrigation Company. The latter company, one of the late con- 
structions, reclaimed 20,000 acres of desert land. Other im- 
portant offices such as treasurer and superintendent have been 
filled by some of the above mentioned Germans, and all of them 
have been actively engaged in the promotion of artificial irri- 
gation in Colorado. 

Once given a fertile soil, perhaps the foremost condition 
for success in agriculture is a taste for, or even better, a scien- 
tific knowledge of soil tilling. Many adventurous pioneers, 
lured by the generous distribution of homestead land, failed 
or met with but meager success in agriculture, because they 
knew no more about it than they did about prospecting, and in 
farming chance played a smaller part. The German pioneer, 
however, peculiarly adapted to agriculture from long and 
thorough acquaintance with it, almost invariably succeeded. 
The Germans too, possessed the desirable characteristics of 
steady plodding industry and persistent effort. Many of the 
wealth seekers had imagined Colorado to be an enchanted land, 
the very sands to contain shining gold, the streets to be paved 
with silver and the bushes to yield treasure. Such, naturally, 
were disappointed at the grim reality. Whether or not the 
Germans shared this belief, they did not give up in despair 
when its falsity was established. The adventurous spirit of 
the west seems to have infused a little of its dash into the 
native Teutonic apathy. The same disposition that we saw 
was so successful in the pursuit of mining, willingness to take 
a good risk, mingled with a great deal of caution, met with an 
equal degree of good fortune here. 

The industry in which Colorado leads all States is sugar 
beet culture. This has been a wonderful incentive to coloniza- 
tion and to the development of the State ; it has suggested to 

— 20 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

other lines of agriculture its own intensive methods and it has 
brought about many of the great irrigation projects. Sugar 
factories have been established at Eaton, Greeley, Loveland, 
New Windsor, Longmont, Fort Collins, Sterling, Brush, Fort 
Morgan, along the Arkansas valley at Rocky Ford, Lamar, Las 
Animas, Holly, Swink and Sugar City, and along the Grand 
river at Grand Junction, Monte Vista and Delta. These fac- 
tories are reported to be successful, and they are aiding the 
various commercial, manufacturing and agricultural industries 
of the State. The development of this industry has, in a few 
years, built railroads, towns and irrigation works. Population 
and wealth have increased rapidly and capital has been 
attracted toward building up the enterprises that make for the 
greatness of a State. 1 In many of the districts where the great 
sugar beet fields are under cultivation, Germans are prominent 
among the workers. The people accustomed to similar em- 
ployment in Europe seem to have responded to the call for 
laborers here. Many of them, especially in Larimer and in 
Delta county, are Russo-Germans, that is, Germans who 
formed colonies in Russia under very favorable conditions 
made by that government which subsequently were endan- 
gered. Peculiarly fitted for this work, thrifty and economical 
as they are, these recent arrivals have met with great success. 2 

1 Cf. Colorado State Board of Immigration, pp. 10-13. For dairy- 
ing, truck gardening, poultry and bee keeping, etc., see p. 13 ff. 

2 Peter the Great offered privileges to German colonies in Russia, — 
among them, exemption from taxation and from military service for a 
term of years. In 1783 Catherine II imposed a poll tax on the peasants 
in the Baltic provinces in order to prevent their developing in a way 
that would bring about estrangement from Russia. She was too wise 
and liberal not to see that the independent German culture of the Baltic 
provinces was far ahead of the rest of Russia, and instead of becoming 
a menace might serve as a model. — Dr. Otto Hoetzsch, Professor in the 
Royal Academy, Posen. Cambridge, Modern History, Vol. VI, p. 694. 
It seems very probable that the ancestors of the Russo-Germans in 
Colorado might have been among the emigrants from West Prussia, 
the foundation stone of whose colonization was the manifest of the 
Russian empress, Catherine II, July 22, 1763. This promised unhindered 
immigration privileges to all foreigners in Russia ; choice of home in 
city or country ; to poor families, assistance with travelling expenses 
and liberal aid from the State treasury by the erection of factories ; 
freedom from taxes for some time ; especially, complete religious free- 
dom and the right to settle in groups on their own strips of land, to 

— 21 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

They find it possible to live at about the minimum cost ; they 
are all, including the women, accustomed to field work, and by 
the combined efforts of steady industry and strict economy 
they are rapidly gaining comfortable competencies, and in a 
small way, becoming landed proprietors. They manifest an 
ambition to rise from the state of mere hirelings ; their interest 
in their adopted land is strong enough to cause them to desire 
to remain in it. As they are, in many cases, still ignorant of 
the English language, they are very clannish in religious and 
social life. They are rated among the best workers, and set 
a high standard of efficiency, thus producing among the other 
inhabitants a sentiment favorable toward their nationality. 1 

A few examples of typical German farmers in Colorado 
will serve as reminders of the kind found here, while a cata- 
logue of names of others recall many who have assisted in 
developing the State. A prominent farmer, a Prussian by 
birth, Frederick Gross, had, previous to his departure for the 
new country, mastered at home the art of intensive farming. 
This knowledge, together with his energy and industry, enabled 
him to outstrip his neighbors in annual yields. He soon 
became known as "the farmer who never failed to raise a good 
crop." He gradually made purchases of land and added thereto 
improvements until he ranked as one of the foremost men in 
his vicinity. 2 Another example of the success that follows 



build churches and schools, to appoint their own pastors, and to have 
the inner management of such colonization in the hands of their own 
officials. Such colonies were to be free from military service and to 
enjoy the favor of the government. These colonists were, in religion, 
Mennonites. In view of the military developments of West European 
peoples at the end of the 18th century, it was becoming more and more 
difficult for these people to retain their peculiar position in the State 
(their religion forbade them to bear arms). Russia had, however, 
great territories along the Black Sea in which she wished to replace 
the nomads of Mongolian blood living there, by people experienced 
in tilling the soil, and many German colonists settled there, with ex- 
emption from military service. In the age of universal military service 
this privilege was in danger of being abolished, owing to the jealousy 
of less fortunate neighbors, and emigration of German Mennonites 
from Russia to the United States began. Cf. Wedel, III, p. 120 ff. 

1 "Kleine Gruppen suchten auch in Colorado fortzukommen," we 
read in Wedel, IV, p. 191. 

2 Cf. History of Larimer County, p. 485. 

— 22 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

unremitting labor, is furnished by the experiences of Andrew 
Hagus, a German pioneer of 1859. After a few months' trial 
at mining he started an entirely new product in this region. 
He began to raise vegetables to supply miners and had splendid 
results in this much needed line. He introduced on his farm 
the first mowing machine, rake, etc., ever seen in the county 
(Arapahoe). His brother, John G. Hagus, who followed him 
in 1860 to Colorado, illustrates by his success the power of 
energy and determination. 1 

A very close relationship exists between forestry and irri- 
gation. The establishment of forest reservations has been 
largely in the interest of agriculture and irrigation. Although 
the science of forestry is still new in this country, Colorado is 
fortunate in having one well trained forester among her pio- 
neers. He was a native German, Frederick J. Ebert, who came 
to Denver with an engineering corps from St. Joseph, Missouri, 
and made the first survey west of the Missouri river. As ht 
was aware of the advantages of forestry laws and regulations, 
he was eager at the very opening of the country, to encourage 
necessary legislation. Truck and landscape gardening have 
always been largely in the control of the Germans in Colorado. 2 
In this calling they have furnished very creditable results. As 
early as 1869, George Neare, popularly called "Dutch George," 
was a truck gardener at the mouth of Lone Pine Creek. 3 Peter 
Fischer, a native of Nassau, was a pioneer nurseryman on 
Cherry Creek, about one and one-half miles from Denver.* 

Fruit growing, now the leading industry in several large 
districts of Colorado, was, a few years ago, believed to be im- 
possible. Now, the names of Delta County, the San Luis 
Valley and Rocky Ford are celebrated, far and wide, for ex- 

1 Denver and Vicinity, 246 ff. ; Hall, IV, 484. At the New York 
Land Show, November 1911, the two prize winners for the best exhibits 
of sugar beets were Coloradoans. One of them was V. Deich of Jules- 
burg. 

2 Cf. Denver Real Estate and Stock Exchange, Annual Report, 
1891 -'92. 

3 Cf . History of Larimer County, p. 193. Mr. Neare removed later 
to Elkhorn Creek where, in 1871, he was killed by a bear. 

4 Cf . History of Clear Creek and Boulder Valleys, p. 564. 

— 23 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

tensive fruit culture. Colorado is now entitled to fame as a 
horticultural State. The leading fruit raising counties of the 
northern part of the State are Boulder, Jefferson and Larimer. 
The Arkansas Valley, with its center in Canon City, is prob- 
ably the site of the first successful orchards in Colorado. The 
valleys of the Grande, the Uncompahgre and the Gunnison 
and, on the western slope, Montrose, Delta, Mesa and Garfield 
Counties are all important fruit raising sections. 1 The first 
fruit orchard in the Mountains is said to have been planted by 
a native German, Louis Wetzler, who came to Greeley in 1871. 
He was at first subjected to the scorn of his neighbors, who 
declared his undertaking an impossibility. Later, he was able 
to prove that they were wrong. By his example he encouraged 
many others to follow in this pursuit. 2 Another native German 
who disproved the theory that fruit could not be successfully 
grown in Colorado was John G. Bader, a pioneer farmer on 
Left Hand Creek in Boulder County. 3 Albert G. Snyder, a 
native of Canton Berne, met with very favorable results with 
his large orchards, also his crops of grapes, strawberries and 
blackberries. 4 John D. Stickfort, a native of Hanover, planted 
on a very uninviting tract of wild prairie land in Jefferson 
County in 1882, an apple orchard which was said to be the 
best producer in the county. In 1897, Mr. Stickfort gathered 
from it more than 1,000 barrels of apples. 5 In 1859, William 
Hoehne came to Las Animas County where he was the first 
farmer settler and one of the most enterprising of the German 
pioneers. He is credited with having built the first mill, with 
having introduced the first threshing machine and with having 
started the cultivation of strawberries, apples, cherries, etc., in 
the county. He conducted his farming in a progressive fashion. 
For example, he conceived the idea of planting crabapples and 
cottonwood trees in alternate rows, thus affording wind breaks 

1 Cf. Jubildums-Ausgabe des Colorado Her old, p. 45. 

2 History of Larimer County, pp. 416-417. 

3 Cf. History of Boulder Valley, p. 611. 

4 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 750. 

5 Cf. Supra, p. 1024. 

— 24 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

and timber protection. For several years, he operated 1,000 
acres of land on which he raised splendid crops. 1 Among the 
many other successful fruit growers and gardeners among the 
German settlers in Colorado we would mention especially 
Frederick C. Schroeder in the Clear Creek Valley, and Frank 
W. Ricks in the Little Thompson Valley. 2 

Although Colorado was long famed for its cattle ranges, 
it took considerable time for the stockmen to discover that 
they could increase their profits enormously by employing 
other methods than, as formerly, shipping the cattle to eastern 
markets. 3 Among men who were not content to follow the 
beaten track, were several alert German citizens who turned 
their attention to the dairy industry. Prominent among them 
were George Rittmayer, Johann Madlung, Emile Riethmann, 
Frederick Affolter, Charles Bangert, T. U. Bausinger, William 
Bramkamp, Ferdinand Ebert, Eugene Farny, P. W. Snyder, 
Jacob Wolfensberger, all of whom were native Germans with 
the exception of Mr. Snyder who was of German ancestry, and 
Messrs. Riethmann and Wolfenberger who were both born in 
Switzerland. 4 

The Denver Stock Exchange was first organized in 1887, 
but the pioneers had made small but successful beginnings with 
the cattle business previous to that time. Especially in the 
beet raising districts, sheep raising is of importance. The two 
are supplementary as the beet tops and pulp have proven to 
be the best diet for the animals, thus providing a use for the 
waste product. The sheep industry is said to have produced 
the greatest clear profits of any of Colorado's agricultural 

i Cf. Hall, IV, p. 194. 

2 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, pp. 1024; History of Larimer County, 
pp. 383-384. 

Gustav Hermanhofer, Park Superintendent of Pueblo, had set out 
in City Park 400 various plants (according to the Colorado Herold for 
February 27, 1912), in order to establish the fact that they will grow 
in akaline soil. 

3 In this connection, cf. F. L. Paxson, "The Cow Country," in the 
American Historical Review, Vol. XXII, No. 1 (October, 1916). 

*Cf. Denver and Vicinity, pp. 598, 725, 879, 995, 1089; Hall, IV, 
396ff. 

- 25 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

industries. Among the early pioneers who carried on an exten- 
sive business in this line was a man of German descent, Ernest 
Bartels. 1 A native German pioneer of 1860, Jacob Scherer 
who was born near the city of Dresden, was one of the early 
cattle men who from humble beginnings achieved great wealth. 
Unless a cattleman had control of great capital he had to be 
content to isolate himself and to "rough it". There was, 
however, a way for a man with persistence to build up a for- 
tune. The big drivers who had in their care 800 to 1,000 
head of cattle, had no time to care for the sick cattle or for 
the calves that were born on the way. Thus the man who was 
willing to submit to personal sacrifice and hardship, could fol- 
low the trail from Texas to Montana and pick up these un- 
fortunates and with them form the nucleus of a profitable 
business. Charles Lerchen, another native German, carried on 
a stock ranch in Arapahoe County as early as 1868. He is 
said to have brought into the State more finely bred bulls than 
iny other man, and he is the first man in the State to give 
premiums for prize cattle. John Walters, later head of one 
of the largest firms in Denver and one of the largest sheep 
raisers and dealers in the West, laid the foundation for his 
business by purchasing several hundred head of sheep in New 
Mexico and driving them to the Denver market. His interests 
extended later to sheep breeding and raising in Wyoming, also 
to buying and ranging in Utah, Colorado, Kansas and Ne- 
braska. He was a member of the Standard Meat and Live 
Stock Association of which another native German, Frank X. 
Aicher, was also a member. 2 Jacob Scherrer, a stock man 
since 1868, was at one time owner of the Denver Stock Yards, 
the first establishment for supplying the beef market of the 
city. 3 August Beuck, whose native city was Kiel in Holstein, 
was owner of 1,000 acres of land in Elbert County and also of 
nearly as many head of cattle, and was a member of the Colo- 

1 Cf. Hall, IV, pp. 333-337. 

2 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 726. Mr. Walter's father was born 
in Wurtemberg. 

3 History of Denver, pp. 601-602. Mr. Scherrer of German and 
French descent. 

— 26 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

rado Cattle Growers' Association. 1 Another German member 
of this Association was Henry Gebhard, who after spending 
ten years in Elbert County buying, selling and shipping cattle, 
became a member of the Burghardt Packing Company and 
later organized the Colorado Packing and Provision Company, 
the largest packers of beef and pork in the State. To its 
founder is attributed the prosperity of the organization. 
Anton Schindelholz and John G. Benkelman are also on the 
roll of members of the Colorado Packing and Provision Com- 
pany. Elijah Bosserman is general manager of the Denver 
Live Stock Commission Company, which he organized in 1886. 
This was the first company to locate at the Union Stock Yards 
in Denver. Jacob Schiitz whose tract of 2,500 acres of land 
in Douglas County was in 1860 a wild, unimproved claim, by 
his strenuous efforts adapted the same to his purposes and 
made a great success with raising thoroughbred, shorthorn 
cattle. 2 In the instances cited above, we again see many Ger- 
mans taking the lead in an important agricultural industry. 

Many of the successful farmers in Colorado, and among 
them are Germans, have achieved their prosperity through a 
kind of farming elsewhere unknown, the so-called "dry 
farming". It seems logical that the land that produces wild 

1 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 226. Mr. Beuck was one of the first 
stockmen to dehorn cattle. 

2 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, pp. 332, 378, 425, 519, 923. Also, for 
Benkelman, History of Denver, p. 332. 

Among other stockmen, "old-timers," deserving of their success and 
among the most substantial and most highly respected citizens of their 
respective communities was John Hahn, for thirteen years stock raiser in 
Larimer County. Mr. Hahn, a German by birth (see Supra, 933, and 
History of Larimer County, 391), acquired by his judgment and energy 
1,240 acres of excellent land. Here also we mention John L. Mitch, 
of Prussian parentage, part owner of 3,500 head of sheep in Bent 
County; Ludwig Kramer, a native of Wittenberg; William Barth, a 
native German, president and organizer of the Denver-Texas Cattle 
Company ; Charles Snyder, whose father was a native of Canton Berne ; 
Ferdinand Ebert, George C. Fahrion, Andrew Hagus, Christian Kill- 
kopf, J. E. Madlung, George Steady, and Lewis Hagus, all of German 
birth, and Rudolph Koenig, born in Switzerland, and Frederick Schroe- 
dcr and Michael Leuhart, of German descent. For detailed accounts 
of the above see Denver and Vicinity, pp. 208fi\, 768, 773, 786; History 
of the Arkansas Valley, pp. 765-889; Hall, IV, 449-450, 484, 494, 529, 
503; History of Larimer County, pp. 476, 484. 

— 27 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

the cactus and sage brush should yield valuable agricultural 
products. The secret, in this arid country, lies in producing a 
soil that hinders the moisture from being absorbed by the hot, 
dry air. In order to make the lower layer of soil as yielding 
as possible to a large water content, the surface is kept 
finely pulverized but firm and compact. The Colorado "dry 
farmers" have accomplished the remarkable results that a rain- 
fall of 12 inches can be so conserved that it yields better 
effects than are attained in regions where the average moisture 
is 24 inches. Ten thousand square miles of desert land where 
only cactus, sage brush, sunflowers and prairie grass once grew, 
are, as a result, now yielding rich harvests of wheat, corn and 
clover. To this branch of agricultural industry the German 
farmer has adapted himself readily. He realizes that tireless 
industry is the price set upon a good harvest and he pays this 
price willingly. We cite here only a few of the many instances 
that show how the German immigrant by persistent efforts, 
strict economy and shrewdness has made for himself a solid 
place. 

The case of Andrew C. Kluver is typical. When he came 
to Fort Collins at the age of 25, he put to immediate use his 
only capital, — a span of horses, a wagon and cash amounting 
to $31. He occupied himself, at first, with odd jobs of team- 
ing; later, he ran a threshing machine and baler. In less than 
two years after his arrival he was owner of three teams which 
he traded for a small stock of groceries, engaging then in the 
mercantile business. His success was remarkable. He became 
owner of a good farm in the Cache La Poudre Valley, of the 
Craddock ranch at L,ivermore, and of a well stocked cattle 
ranch on Rabbitt and Meadow Creeks. He acquired as well, 
large interests in financial organizations, — in banking and in 
the Water Storage and Supply Company. 1 Another native 
German, Lewis Schroers, who settled on a farm on the Platte 
River near Island Station in 1860, since then so improved his 
land that it became one of the finest farms in the county. He 
is described as possessing "the usual steady, persevering energy 

1 Cf. History of Larimer County, p. 398. 
— 28 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

characteristic of the Germans." ' Anton Schindelholtz came to 
Colorado in 1860 with no capital save physical strength, steady 
determination and thrifty habits. It did not take him long to 
Jiscover that his dream of gaining sudden wealth was an idle 
one. Sober judgment gaining the mastery over his enthusi- 
astic visions, he bought a ranch, stocked it with cattle and con- 
ducted a successful dairy, becoming thereby a man of wealth 
and position. 2 Another tale of "Poverty to Prosperity" is 
illustrated in the experiences of Emile Riethmann, a pioneer 
of 1859, whose history has already been considered in the 
pages treating of the German pioneers in Colorado. The oft 
repeated assertion that prosperity seems to have followed the 
Germans, is unconsciously explained by those who testify : 
"There are few shiftless ones among the Germans." 

Native Germans and their sons have engaged in nearly, 
if not indeed all the industries that flourish in Colorado. The 
brewing and bottling business is practically monopolized by 
them. Prominent names in this industry which has, in 
Colorado, ranked high, are Coors, Endlich, Frederick, Fuel- 
scher, Burghardt, Neef, Lammers, Suess and Zang, all of 
whom with but a single exception are of German birth. Philip 
Zang who was born in Bavaria in 1826, arrived in Denver in 
1869, where he entered the employ of John Good as superin- 
tendent of the latter's brewery. In July 1871 he purchased the 
Rocky Mountain Brewery, the pioneer establishment in 
Denver, which later was said to be the largest brewery between 
St. Louis and San Francisco. 3 Adolph Herman Joseph Coors 
was born at Barmen, Rhine Prussia, February 4, 1847. He 
went to America in 1868, to Denver in April 1872. In June 
of the same year he started a bottling business with John 
Staderman. In October 1872, in company with Jacob Schueler, 
he established a brewery in Golden. He later purchased his 
partner's interest in the brewery which became one of the 

1 Cf. History of Denver, p. 587. 

2 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 519. 

3 Cf. History of Denver, p. 651 ; Hall, IV, p. 631 ; Denver and 
Vicinity, 5496. See also J ubildums-Ausgabe des Colorado Her old, p. 60. 

— 29 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

largest and best equipped in the State. Agencies have been 
established at Denver, Pueblo, Trinidad, Colorado Springs, 
Aspen, Fort Collins, Louisville, Blackhawk, Como, Meeker, 
Buena Vista, Del Notre, Creede, Gunnison, and Aquilar. 1 

German bakers enjoy wide fame and Colorado does not 
detract therefrom. Starting with the earliest times, when in 
1859 Henry Reitze opened the first bakery in Denver and 
offered to accept gold dust in exchange for his products, 2 and 
going to the time when Otto P. Baur became owner of one of 
the city's largest candy establishments which still bears his 
name, there have been many Germans in Colorado prominent 
as bakers and confectioners. 3 Among the pioneer German 
bakers were Hans J. Kruse, Adolph Schinner, J. J. Riethmann, 
and Albin Maul. 

Hotel keeping has been a close second to brewing with 
the Germans in Colorado as far as popularity and success are 
concerned. Charles Eyser, a native of Holstein, was in the 
early 60's proprietor of the "German House" in Denver. 4 
Another native German, Otto Kappler, has held the position of 
manager of both the Metropole and the Brown Palace, one of 
Denver's finest hotels. 5 Other Germans prominent as hotel 
owners and keepers are John Zimmermann, Frederick Christ- 
man, E. Menig, Charles F. Hertel, Conrad Frankle and Charles 
Nachtrieb. Zimmerman, a native Swiss, founded a celebrated 
mountain resort when, in 1880, he constructed a few rough 
cottages near his sawmill. As the resort became popular, the 
commodious hotel, the Keystone, was erected. Christman was 
the founder of a favorite road house in Virginia Dale in 
Larimer County. Menig was a successful hotel keeper in 
Denver in the early days, being connected with the Fremont 

1 Biographical material furnished by a member of the Coors family. 

2 This distinction is disputed by the bakery of J. J. Riethmann and 
John Milheim, pioneers of 1859. Cf. History of Denver, p. 518. 

3 Cf . Denver and Vicinity, p. 637. Mr. Baur was born in Wurtem- 
berg. 

4 Cf. History of Denver, p. 426. 
- Cf. Hall, IV, p. 492. 

— 30 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

House and later with the Milwaukee House, which he built, 
and conducted until 1889. Hertel came to Colorado in 1860 
and had many thrilling encounters on the frontier with hostile 
Indians, in which he proved himself a man of valor as well as 
of enterprise. Frankle who constructed the Washington Hotel 
on 5th Street in Denver, and Nachtrieb, the builc'er of an 
excellent hotel at Northrop Station, Chaffee Count}', were both 
successful German hotel keepers. 1 

Several German families in Colorado have made a signal 
success along mercantile lines. Pioneers among them were 
the three Bartels brothers, Louis, Gustave and Julius, natives 
of a small town near Gottingen. The former came with his 
original stock of merchandise in the summer of 1861. crossing 
the plains with an ox team. Nine years later he and his 
brothers were successfully conducting the houses they had 
established at Pueblo, West Las Animas, W 7 alsenburg and San 
Antonio. 2 William and Moritz Barth, who were born in Dietz, 
Nassau, were pioneer shoe manufacturers and wholesale 
dealers in Colorado, whence they too came in 1861. a August 
and Philip Rohling, two brothers from Dielingen in West- 
phalia, conducted large stores in Blackhawk and in Fort 
Collins. 4 Edward Monash, another native German started in 
1866 the first department store in Denver, "The Fair", where, 
by his energy and good judgment, he built up a profitable 
business. 5 Other prominent pioneer merchants among the 
German residents of Colorado are George Tritch who first 
offered for sale a varied assortment of farm implements; 6 

1 For details of the above, see History of Larimer County, pp. 370, 
466; Denver and Vicinity, p. 486; History of Denver, 426; Hall, IV, 
530, 600; History of the Arkansas Valley, pp. 477-543. 

2 Cf. Byers, Encyclopedia of Biographv, p. 343; History of Denver, 
329. 

» Cf. Denver and Vicinity, pp. 205-208ff. 

4 Cf. Supra, pp. 399, 977; History of Larimer County, p. 392. 

5 Monash was born in Posen. Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 369. 

6 Tritsch was born in Baden. Cf . History of Denver, pp. 612-613. 

— 31 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

John J. Lindner, plumbing and hardware merchant j 1 Samuel 
Strousse, Hyman Schradsky and Julius Berry, clothing deal- 
ers ; 2 Gustav Krause, 3 Adolph Brocker, 4 grocers ; Herman H. 
Cordes, carpet dealer; 5 Ignatz Haberl, jeweler and lapidary; 6 
Henry P. Nagel and J. J. Hense, both jewelers in the 60's. T 
Another pioneer merchant of 1864 whose advertisement shows 
how infused he was with the spirit of the west, was George 
Teiklar. He claims the following: "I will furnish my cus- 
tomers with every variety of meats from a mutton chop to an 
ox". 

The name of Maximilian Kuner, the "grand old man of 
the business world of Denver", stands very near the head of 
the manufacturing industry in this locality. His genius for 
organizing is responsible for the Colorado Manufacturers' 
Association, established in 1906, an association for mutual 
assistance and protection to the shippers of the State. 8 His 
brother, J. C. Kuner, who preceded him to Colorado, started 
the Denver Pickle Works in 1872. From a very small begin- 
ning, — Mr. Kuner at first did his own "teaming" in a wheel- 
barrow, — the company of which Mr. Kuner is president has 
grown to such proportions that it is reported to supply the 

1 Father was a native of Wurtemberg. Cf. Denver and Vicinity, 
pp. 1080-1081. 

2 All three native Germans. Cf. Supra, pp. 1104-1105; History of 
Arkansas Valley, pp. 765-825 ; Hall, IV, p. 581. 

3 Krause was born in Germany. Cf. History of Arkansas Valley, 
pp. 477-543. 

4 Brocker was born in Prussia. Cf. History of Denver, p. 349. 

5 Cordes born in Bremen. Cf . Supra, p. 376. 

6 Haberl born in Hanau, near Frankfort on Main. Cf. Byers' 
Biography, p. 444. 

7 Nagel born in Schleswig-Holstein. Cf. History of Denver, p. 537. 
Among the hundreds of successful German merchants in Colorado are 
I. H. Kastor, Edward Kerstens, F. L. Rohlfing, George Hamburger, 
Albert Abel, Fred Mueller, Maximilian Spanier and George Reinhardt. 
For above see Rocky Mountain News for 1864. 

8 Born in Lindau, Bavaria. Cf. Sketches of Colorado, 1911, pp. 
256-2557. History of Denver, p. 490. Data also from residents of 
Brighton. 

-32- 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

trade in all the western States. The main factory is located in 
Denver, branches existing at Brighton, Platteville and Greeley, 
on which hundreds are dependent for support. Charles 
Boettcher, a Prussian by birth, was a leading promoter of the 
Colorado Sugar Manufacturing Company of Grand Junction, 
and was one of the builders of the first sugar beet factory in 
Colorado. 1 In Loveland he built another plant similar to the 
one in Grand Junction. This factory is the property of the 
Great Western Sugar Company of which Dr. Franz Murke, 
another native Prussian, is chief consulting chemist. The cele- 
brated "Blackhawk" wagon which has won a reputation 
throughout the country, was invented by William Tick, a 
native of Stargard, Pommerania, and sprang from the need of 
a better equipment for hauling ore and for general mountain 
service. 2 

Attempting to fill long- felt wants many of Colorado's 
German pioneers have advanced the progress of the community 
by inventions. August Pirch, a native of Prussia, was one of 
these men. He invented a "Sulky Ditching and Sidehill Plow", 
an ingenious contrivance incorporating several new features, 
and also a tool called the "Improved Blacksmith Wagonmak- 
ing combined machine", an article adaptable for the operation 
of hammer, shears, reciprocating saw, drill, punch, chisel, etc. 3 
The names of Robert Bandhauer and Henry F. Meine, both 
native Germans, are familiar in Denver, both men being dis- 
tinguished for splendid mechanical skill and for ingenious in- 
ventive power. The latter, a skilled cabinet maker, invented 
and patented a combination billiard and game table. 4 A Ger- 
man who has resided in Denver since 1880, Jacob Fitting, 
established in 1892 the Pioneer Iron and Wire Works. Today 
his business is said to rank among the greatest of its kind in 

1 Cf. Sketches of Colorado, p. 150. 

2 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 1024. 
'■'' Cf. History of Denver, p. 548. 
4 Cf. Supra, pp. 342, 518-519. 

— 33 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

the west. 1 His is the distinction of introducing the first wire 
fence manufactured in Colorado. Adolph Rauh, a Bavarian, 
engaged on coming to Denver in 1870, in the marble cutting 
business with F. R. Trotzscher. A year later he constructed 
a steam saw mill in West Denver. He expended large sums in 
the search for stone quarries and was successful in locating the 
first in the State, among them the famous Castle Rock Quarry 
and those at Canon City and Pueblo. He is entitled to credit 
for having established the first steam marble works in Denver. 2 

John J. Bitter came to Denver in 1879 and five years 
later started his business as contractor 3 and builder. It 
is of interest to note that the first bridge constructed in 
the Colorado Territory was ascribed to George C. Schleier, a 
native of Baden. On his way to the Gregory Gold mines he 
was checked near Golden by high water in Clear Creek over 
which he erected a bridge at a cost of $600. Mr. Schleier is 
said also, to have erected one of the first two-story buildings in 
the State. In the severe winter of 1858-'59 he hauled timber 
for the purpose a distance of 25 miles. 4 A German woman, 
Mrs. F. C. Bray, formerly Miss Ag' nes Braum who was born 
in Berlin, is a capable member of the Laundrymen's Asso- 
ciation. She has proved herself an efficient business woman 
in the laundries which she successfully conducts. 5 

The German element in Denver has aided the city's 
development through the active part taken by its representa- 
tives in real estate interests. Among the early members of the 
Denver Real Estate and Stock Exchange were Walter von 
Richthofen, H. C. Mentzer, Max Baer, Niesz & Company and 

1 Mr. Fitting was born in Westhofen. Cf. Jubildnms-Ausgabe, 
p. 46. 

2 Cf . History of Denver, p. 562. 

3 Father of Mr. Bitter was a native of Oldenburg. Cf. Denver 
and Vicinity, p. 511. 

4 Cf. History of Denver, p. 605-606. 

5 Cf. Denver and Vicinity, p. 567. For manv other instances cf. 
History of Denver, pp. 450, 533, 630-631 ; Hall, IV, pp. 434-435, 475. 

— 34 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

G. O. Shafer. 1 Alfred H. Gutheil, a native German, bought 
and plotted the Gutheil Gardens in 1889. Seven years later, 
the Gutheil Park Investment Company organized with Mr. 
Gutheil as president and general manager. 2 Another section 
of Denver bearing the name of the German settler who pre- 
empted it originally, is Wagner's Addition, named for Herman 
Wagner. 3 Some of Denver's finest building sites were com- 
prised in the section of land, or "Addition", named for Adolph 
Schinner, a native German who, in 1860, came to Colorado on 
horseback. 4 W. H. Buchtel, son-in-law of the celebrated P. T. 
Barnum, for whom he named the town which he laid out, has 
been a strong factor in developing Denver real estate. 5 Peter 
J. Frederick, whose parents were native Germans, held at the 
time of his death the following offices : Vice-president Zang 
Realty and Investment Company, Welton Street Investment 
Company, St. James Investment Company, German-American 
Trust Company and Lakeside Realty and Amusement Com- 
pany. 8 E. H. Asmussen, a native German, and John Milheim, 
a Swiss, have engaged with success in real estate ventures in 
Denver. 7 As a real estate undertaking of quite a different sort 
we recall the amusement resort at Lindenmeier Lake, whose 
originator was William Lindenmeier, Jr., of German descent. 8 
The actual beginning of the smelting industry in Colorado 
was made at Malta in 1877 when August R. Meyer erected in 
California gulch a small smelter to reduce ores. As he was 
in need of lead ores the following winter, he experimented 
with the mineral on the dump of the Rock mine and found the 
result very satisfactory. Later the smelting industry attained 

1 Cf. Denver Illustrated, p. 38. 

2 Cf . Denver and Vicinity, p. 258. 

3 Cf. Hall, IV, p. 623. 

4 Cf . History of Denver, pp. 594-595. 
c Cf . Denver and Vicinity, p. 297. 

Cf. Sketches of Colorado, p. 409. 

7 Cf . History of Denver, p. 518 ; Hall, IV, p. 366. 

8 Cf. History of Larimer County, pp. 281-282. 

- 35 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

to great proportions in that part of the Arkansas Valley. 1 
Frank Guiterman, a German of the second generation, holds 
the highest position in his line in the United States. He is 
General Manager for the American Smelting and Refining 
Company, Colorado Department. 2 Rudolph Koenig, a native 
German, pioneer of 1867, was for nine years President and 
General Manager of the Gold Smelting Company. 3 A. 
Eilers, a prominent native German in the smelting industry in 
Pueblo, first became identified with that industry in Colorado, 
when in 1879 he erected a smelter in Leadville. Later he 
organized the Colorado Smelting Works at Pueblo.* 

On a slightly different level from the preceding stands 
banking, a business which suggests always that the persons 
participating in it inspire an unusual feeling of trust. In the 
early days, when financial institutions in Denver were purely 
personal ventures, Charles and Luther Kountze, two of the 
four sons of Christian Kountze, a native of Saxony, organized 
and successfully operated a banking house in that city. This 
became later the Colorado National Bank whose president and 
cashier respectively, were Luther and Charles B. Kountze. 
The latter, at the time of his death, November 18, 1911, was 
reported to be the wealthiest man in the State. 5 The German 
Bank, later incorporated as The German National, was or- 
ganized in 1874 with J. J. Riethmann, George Tritch, C. A. 
Fischer, L,. F. Bartels, J. M. Eckhart and Conrad Walbrach 
among its officers and directors. 6 Mr. Bartels was also active 
in promoting the Colorado Savings Building and Loan Asso- 

i Cf. Hall, IV, p. 431. 

a Cf. Sketches of Colorado, 1911, p. 165. 

8 Cf . Denver and Vicinity, p. 809. 

4 Mr. Eilers was born in Germany and educated at the Mining 
School at Claustal and at Gottingen. Cf. Who's Who in America? 

5 Cf . Rocky Mountain News, August 25, 1864. The Rocky Moun- 
tain National Bank was established by the Kountze Brothers in Central 
City in 1866. Of C. B. Kountze, the Boulder Herald for November 18, 
1911, said: "The career of C. B. Kountze in large part is the history 
of Denver, the story of Colorado." 

«Cf. Hall, II, pp. 210-211; III, pp. 198-202. 
— 36 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

ciation, whose purpose is to aid the poorer classes in erecting 
homes. 1 The German.American Trust Company, established 
in 1906, is one of the large and flourishing banking houses in 
Denver at the present time. Its President, Godfrey Schirmer, 
and Cashier Dieter are much respected German citizens who 
have made their way through difficulties from small beginnings. 
Mr. Schirmer was honored a few years ago by the Order of 
the Crown, 4th Class, conferred by the Kaiser. The two 
brothers, William and Moritz Barth, were prominent in the 
City National Bank of Denver, the former as vice-president, 
the latter as director. 2 In the Bank of San Juan and Del Norte, 
they were both directors and stockholders. Frederick J. Ebert, 
a prominent German pioneer who has been mentioned in other 
connections, was stockholder, director and, at one time, presi- 
dent of the Exchange Bank. 3 From the annual statements 
given out by the banks of Denver, in December, 1911, it is 
easy to see what a large proportion of bank officials are at the 
present German either by birth or by extraction.* 

Summarizing what has been told in the preceding sketch 
of the men of German blood in Colorado's industrial life and 
their influence on the development of her material resources, 
let us recall the prominence of these citizens in the mining 
industry. Although, as we have noted, this is a hazardous 
pursuit unsuited to characteristically German qualities, the 
Germans in Colorado have been fairly well represented as 
pioneers, as promoters and as successful constructors of mines. 
And aside from the part they have played in developing the 
mineral resources of the State, they have exerted an influence 

1 Cf. Byers, Encyclopedia of Biography, p. 343 ; History of Denver, 
329. 

* Cf . History of Denver, pp. 342-343, 345. 

8 Cf . History of Denver, pp. 416-418 ; Denver and Vicinity, p. 400. 

4 In the above mentioned list occurred the following names : John 
E. Hesse, F. A. Eickhoff, B. F. Salzer, H. M. Hubert, Dr. Charles 
Jaeger, Otto Sauer, Henry Gebhard, Thomas S. Hayden, Meyer Fried- 
man, E. S. Kassler, August Schmidt, J. C. Burger, E. J. Weckbach, 
G. M. Hauk, G. B. Berger, Harold Kountze, William B. Berger, J. H. 
Kolb, A. J. Bromfield, Luther M. Beck, William F. Huffman and Ernest 
R. Stadler. 

- 37 - 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

needed here, perhaps, more than elsewhere. Teutonic calm, 
sometimes miscalled "stolidity", often produces order in 
chaotic situations and saves the venture from ruin. Again, as 
we turn to the agricultural industry, the close and prosperous 
rival of mining in Colorado, we find a great predominance of 
Germans among the leaders. In irrigation projects, in general 
and truck farming, in cattle raising, sugar beet culture, fruit 
growing, forestry and in the comparatively new line of dry 
farming, Germans have excelled. Finally, in practically all of 
the State's industries are to be found representatives of the 
German element. Especially prominent in brewing, bottling, 
baking and hotel keeping, they are also at the fore in mercan- 
tile lines, in the manufacture of farming implements, wagons, 
etc., and in smelting. We have also seen them filling important 
positions of trust in financial circles and promoting real estate 
projects. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE' INFLUENCE OF THE GERMANS IN COLORADO 

ON THE RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, POLITICAL 

AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. 

From the very beginning of settlement in Colorado the 
Germans, individually or in groups, have been working for 
the betterment of the community. Hand in hand with the 
development of the material resources that we have studied in 
the preceding chapter, has come branching along cultural lines. 
Colorado has just passed the fortieth anniversary of its state- 
hood but, as a whole, it bears little resemblance to a pioneer 
State. Its citizens have been ready to work for its intellectual 
and social growth and, from the first, Germans have been 
prominent in educational, professional and philanthropic 
undertakings. The church and the school have about equal 
claim to precedence in the field, and both have played an im- 
portant part in the education of the people. The first year 
of important colonization in the Territory, 1859, saw the Rev. 
J. H. Kehler, of direct German descent, conducting the first 
Episcopal church in the region, St. John's in the Wilderness. 

— 38 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

He was for several years pastor of this church, which he him- 
self established. He served also, as Chaplain of the First Colo- 
rado Cavalry, accompanying them on the campaign against the 
Texas rangers. In 1873 the first German church was erected 
in Denver. At present there are in that city nine churches 
whose services are conducted in the German language. 
Throughout the cities and towns of the State German churches 
appear in numbers corresponding to the population. 1 In the 
beautiful Montezuma valley, in the southern part of the State, 
are two German colonies that bear a marked religious char- 
acter. The Lutheran settlement is at Thompson Park, about 
20 miles from Durango, and at the other end of the valley, 
about 7 miles from Dolores, is the so-called "German" settle- 
ment, Catholic in faith. No one can follow the press notices 
of the social and religious services of the German churches in 
Colorado without being aware of the flourishing condition of 
these organizations. We make no claim for the service of the 
German church in Colorado in influencing the religious 
development of the community other than that rendered by 
every prosperous church or religious organization, but we do 
hold that the German church has had a powerful cultural 
effect in that region in that it has kept alive in its worshippers 
the language of their fathers. In many cases, the church pro- 
vides the only opportunity to the younger generation for prac- 
ticing the German language. On their neighbors, the zeal with 
which the German citizens strive to preserve their native 

1 Denver has 3 Evangelical, 2 Methodist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Congre- 
gational, 1 Baptist and 1 Catholic church in which the German language 
is used. Pueblo has 1 German Lutheran, 1 German Methodist and 1 
German Catholic church. There are in Colorado over twenty places 
where services are conducted under the government of the German 
Lutheran Synod. Berthoud has a German Congregational church. 
Fort Collins has a thriving German Evangelical congregation. The 
pastor, Rev. Paul Burghardt, conducts services also in the Christ Con- 
gregational church (German) at Wellington. This is one of four 
churches in the town which is an important shipping point. Loveland, 
with a total of 16 churches, has 5 German organizations. (See History 
of Larimer County, pp. 198, 207, 211, 259.) The Society of Seventh Day 
Adventists have 4 German churches in Colorado, located at Brighton, 
Hygiene, La Salle and Loveland. H. A. Aufderhar, a member of the 
executive committee of the Seventh Day Adventist Association of Colo- 
rado, has charge of the work among the Germans. 

— 39 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

tongue, produces a deep effect, and in them is aroused an 
interest in this language. An understanding and appreciation 
of a people whose customs differ from our own has a broaden- 
ing influence. No doubt the tolerant attitude for which the 
west is celebrated, is due to the existence of many national 
stocks in an environment whose tradition has been neighborly 
cooperation and social equality. 

As we examine the field of education, we see that the 
Germans on the frontier lost none of their native desire for it. 
Even when their means were very limited, they contributed 
generously to the maintenance of schools. In the fall of 1859, 
the same year that the Mission church was established by the 
Rev. Kehler, F. B. Steinberger started a little school in Denver 
with but 14 pupils. Amos Steck was another German citizen 
who was early identified with educational work in Denver. 
One of the two men to whom is ascribed the successful estab- 
lishment of the Denver School system and its subsequent 
management is Frederick J. Ebert, a German prominent also 
as engineer and surveyor. Among other important positions, 
Mr. Ebert was at one time President of the Board of Regents 
of the State University, of which Board he was for years a 
member. Other German citizens who in official positions on 
school boards have promoted the cause of education in their 
communities, are Eugene Farny, an Alsatian by birth, Peter 
Theobaldi, a native of Bavaria, William H. Meyer, John H. 
Behrens, Jacob Schiitz, George Tritch, Max. Herman, Oscar 
J. Pfeiffer and others. 1 

From the very earliest days, Germans have played an 
important part in making and improving journalistic oppor- 
tunities in Denver and in the other cities of the State. The 
founder of Denver's oldest newspaper, the "Rocky Mountain 
News," the first daily issue of which appeared August 18, 1860, 
was the Hon. Wm. N. Byers, a German of the second genera- 
tion. As manager and editor Mr. Byers did much to attract 
settlers to Colorado by publishing articles explaining the 

1 The report of the secondary schools in Colorado for 1912 as to 
the Modern Foreign Languages taught gives the following: 98?% of 
the schools offer German, 12% French and 15% Spanish. 

— 40 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

resources of the State, the advantages for stockraising and 
farming, the mineral wealth and the fine climate. The early 
files of this paper are one of the best sources for a history of 
Colorado. The general tone of the earliest issues of the daily 
is progressive. With daring and breadth of thought, improve- 
ments are suggested in civic life and subjects foreign to the 
average pioneer are discussed. From the continual reference 
to the Germans and to things pertaining to the Germans, it is 
evident that these subjects were expected to interest a large 
class of readers. 1 A lively editorial entitled "The Value of 
Amusements" says : "It is impossible to suppose that a human 
being can labor exclusively. He must be amused, he must 
laugh, sing, dance, eat, drink and be merry." 2 This sentiment, 
precisely opposite to that of the early American colonists, was 
that preached and put into practice by the Germans. They 
were the hardest workers and probably the most habitual 
players in whatever community they were found. Among the 
pioneer settlers of the west they instilled the principle of the 
blessedness of innocent enjoyment. Among other German 
pioneers who were effective journalists in the employ of 
American newspapers in Colorado was Herman Beckurts who 
in 1875 purchased the "Denver Tribune", said to be the leading 

1 An editorial of November 17, 1864, has the following: " 'Aus- 
gespielt' — this Teutonic synonym for 'played out' is very expressive 
when pronounced with the broad German accent." "What do you 
mean by Teutonic as you apply it in your items occasionally?" is 
quoted January 14, 1865, and, after an excellent analysis of the word, 
he sums up : "Teutonic, therefore, may mean an intelligent German, a 
flaxen-headed Hollander, a lager-loving Dutchman, a persevering Prus- 
sian or a peddling Pole." A news item, August 5, 1865, says : "The 
Germans do not have the words 'churchyard' and 'burying ground' 
to designate their places of interment ; they use the beautiful and sug- 
gestive expressions 'God's Acre' and 'Court of Peace'." The editor 
calls Denver "a bookless burg" and, after giving his readers a severe 
rating for their remissness, he makes many practical suggestions for 
improving conditions. 

3 In announcing the performance of "The Robbers." February 1, 
1865, he says : "The author of the 'Robbers', which will be performed 
tonight, was J. C. F. Schiller, a great German poet, dramatist and his- 
torian." Following this was an excellent biographical sketch of Ger- 
many's beloved poet. The educational character of many of the short 
items is evident. For example, there are articles on "The Drama," 
"War in Ancient Times" ; he encourages reading of good books, and 
expresses a desire for a public library. 

— 41 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

paper between the Pacific and St. Louis. As a result of his 
efforts at reconstruction, the paper quadrupled its circulation 
in three years. 1 Frank Kratzer and John P. Heisler were for 
twelve years newsgatherer and editor respectively of the Daily 
Herald. 2 

The 37th Jubilaums-Ausgabe des Colorado Herold, pub- 
lished in 1907, furnishes a complete survey of German journal- 
ism in Colorado. The first number of the first German news- 
paper in the State, Die deutsche Presse des grossen Westens 
appeared July 16, 1870. Its short life of but three months is 
attributed to the lack of business qualities in the genial editor, 
Augustin Knofloch, and in no way to the Germans of the 
State, whose enthusiasm was great. Early in the summer of 
1871 appeared Die Deutsche Zeitung, edited by Frank Kratzer, 
but before spring this, like its predecessor, had passed away. 
The fatal blow was struck, it is thought, by the business depres- 
sion under which Denver was at the time suffering. On May 
4, 1872, William Witteborg edited the first number of the Colo- 
rado Journal. Like its predecessors, it appeared once a week, 
the first two numbers in editions of 3,000 copies each. The 
paper received hearty support from the increasing German 
population throughout the west, the editor possessing the desir- 
able requisites for making his undertaking a success. 3 The 
paper went into the control of a corporation, of which Mr. 
Witteborg retained control until 1879, when both the daily and 

1 Born in Brunswick. Cf. History of Denver, pp. 313-314. 

2 Cf. Hall, IV, pp. 472-473, 490-491. 

3 Born at Soest, Westphalia. Cf. History of Denver, p. 635. — 
Meanwhile there were numerous unsuccessful attempts to found a sec- 
ond German newspaper. Some ended in failure, others became fused 
into the Colorado Journal. There is record of the following : Colorado 
Courier, 1873 ; Colorado Post, 1879 ; Sonntagspost, 1880 ; Colorado 
Staats-Zeitung, 1882 ; Denver Herold, Denver Fidibus, 1883 ; the Den- 
ver Herold and Denver Fidibus became united under the name Fidibus- 
Herold. In Leadville, during the "boom" period, a German newspaper 
made its appearance. For some time Pueblo supported the Pueblo 
Anseiger, but it was finally superseded by the Colorado Herold and the 
Denver Herold. In the middle of the '90's, during the silver agitation, 
several numbers of the Silberglocken, an eight-page weekly in quarto 
form, appeared. The Harugari Ordensblatt, 1896, gave rise to the 
weekly, the Colorado Vorwdrts. 

— 42 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

weekly were turned over to Wyl von Wymetal. He, in turn, 
was succeeded by Roesch and Company in 1883, subsequently 
by Kratzer and Reinhold, who retained the management until 
1893, when it was assumed by R. Walter from whom it passed 
into the hands of the German Publishing Company. 

We can get some information concerning the service 
rendered by the paper in a study of its columns. The purpose 
of the paper as stated in its anniversary edition, is "Pflege der 
deutschen Sprache, Sitten und Gebrauche". This purpose 
seems to be in the mind of the editor throughout, in advertise- 
ments as well as in the editorials. The former, by furthering 
the interests of both subscribers and supporters, serves the 
community, and the editorials are typical examples of the 
courage of conviction. By granting them press notices, the 
Colorado Herold aids and encourages all the German interests, 
commercial, political, religious, educational and social. The 
paper exerts a linguistic influence in that it is expressed in 
comparatively good German, which it keeps alive in the com- 
munity. In its four page supplement which is issued each 
Saturday, there appear stories, short scientific articles and long 
novels in serial form. 

With music everywhere in the United States guided so 
generally by German residents, it were idle to add long lists of 
the people who, in Colorado, support and in many cases furnish 
the music. One public-spirited German citizen of Denver, Mr. 
Fritz Thies, who is accorded universal praise for his generosity 
and zeal in securing the best music for his city, must be men- 
tioned. It means more to a pioneer community, which the 
west still remains in matters of the fine arts, to get the rarest 
musical treats, than an outsider can imagine. Scattered here 
and there throughout the State one finds often in the most 
unlooked for spots, Germans disseminating their music and 
encouraging a taste for this and other fine arts. 1 

1 A typical case was that of a German mining expert, Mantius by 
name, who in the barren mining community of Georgetown, during the 
silver excitement, made his humble home an attractive center for those 
of the pioneers who enjoyed music. He was himself a good musician. 
There are many instances of prosperous German music masters in 
Colorado. 

— 43 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

Both the German and American newspapers give promi- 
nent mention to the organized life of the German societies in 
Colorado. Of these there are more than a score in Denver 
alone, 1 some of them beneficial in character, all of them en- 
couraging the perpetuation of interest in the particular section 
of the fatherland from which their adherents came. This may 
be seen from their entertainments. For example, the Schwdb- 
ischer Unterstiitzungsverein on the occasion of its Silver 
Jubilee, March 10, 1912, presented in Suabian dialect, a 
peasant wedding ceremony. Masked balls, with prize awards 
for the best Swiss costumes, are a favorite form of entertain- 
ment with the Schweizer Maennerchor. The Denver News 
of January 12, 1912 published an illustrated account of the 
25th Anniversary of the Bavarian Society. In the chorus of 
125 male voices that furnished part of the entertainment, were 
several who had participated in the Passion Play at Oberam- 
mergau, one of the performers, indeed, being related to John 
Lang, the Christus in the play. The Edelweiss, dainty flower 
of the Alps, was imported for decoration and for souvenirs on 
this occasion. Not alone from their nature and development, 
but from their very ideals, the Turnvereine are separated from 
the other societies. The latter are organized chiefly for the 
promotion of local or social interests, but the Turnverein 
stands for the education of the masses, and forms an important 
factor in the progress of American civilization. The Germans 
themselves give the following estimate of its value (cf. Colo- 
rado Herold, May 3, 1912) : "Von alien Giitern, welche der 
deutsche Einwanderer von seiner alten Heimat nach den 
Gestaden Amerikas gebracht, ist das edelste und bedeutendste 
die deutsche Turnerei". That this society was in a flourishing 
condition as early as 1870, we learn from the "Colorado 

1 Denver has the following benevolent and social organizations 
conducted wholly or in part by the Germans : Alsace-Lorraine ; Badi- 
scher Unterstiitzungsverein ; Bavarian Verein ; Bavarian Verein, La- 
dies' Section ; Colorado Lutheran Men's League ; Colorado Pioneers ; 
Deutsch-Amerikanischer Unterstiitzungsverein; East Denver Turnver- 
ein; Schweizer Mannerchor; Socialer Turnverein; West Denver Turn- 
verein; there are nine lodges of the Deutscher Orden der Harugari; 
five lodges of the Orden der Hermanns-Sohne ; also the German Krie- 
ger- Verein. Cf. Denver Directory, 1912. 

— 44 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

Gazetteer", a publication that appeared in that year, and which 
gives the following: "This German society, so well known 
and so much revered by the children of the Fatherland in every 
country, has already been firmly established in the principal 
cities of the Territory". 

The principal Turnvereine of Colorado are the East 
Denver, the West Denver and the Social Turnverein, all three 
in the capitol city, the Leadville and Grand Junction Turn- 
verein. Formerly societies existed at Central City, Pueblo, 
Cheyenne, and Albuquerque. As early as 1862, the East 
Denver organization was firmly established. The regular 
schedule of these societies perpetuates a live interest in the 
members themselves. The daily announcements in the German 
newspaper under the heading, "Heutige Versammlungen" 
serve as a guide to the life and activities of the Germans in 
Denver and vicinity. 1 The character of the social evenings of 
the Turnvereine is such as to stimulate regular attendance. 
The reports of new members admitted at each meeting indicate 
a steady growth. The influence of these societies is that they 
have given encouragement and instruction in athletics, thus 
developing the idea of producing a sound body in which the 
mind will the better dwell, and teaching the value of healthful 
exercise not only as a health preserver but as a means of whole- 
some enjoyment. They were in the field before the Young 
Men's Christian Associations, on whom they have exerted a 
helpful influence. They have supplied instructors for these 

1 The National Bundesfest was held in Denver in the summer of 
1913. Preparatory to it the three societies of Denver held a great 
"Schauturnen" in the Auditorium on May 3, 1912. A feature of this 
exhibit was the film of motion pictures showing the great Turnfest at 
Frankfort-on-the-Main, and also the last Bundesturnfcst, held in Cin- 
cinnati. One of the many appeals to the "gesammten Deutschtum," 
showing in what inspiring words the exhortations to their national 
feeling were expressed, was as follows : "Es war die deutsche Tur- 
nerei, welche vor hundert Jahren den zerbrockelnden germanischen 
Stammen neuen Halt und neue Lebenskraft verliehen hat. Es ist die 
deutsche Turnerei, die dem Deutschtum hier in Amerika eine Heim- 
statte zur Pflege deutscher Ideale geschaffen hat. Es sind die deut- 
schen Turnerschaften von Denver, welche am 8. Mai im Auditorium 
einen neuen Geist heraufbeschwdren wollen, damit unseren Deutschen 
Ehre und Achtung zuteil werde. — Das grosse Bundesturnfest pocht an 
die Tiir; die Augen der Welt sind auf uns gerichtet." — April 27, 1912. 

— 45 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

societies and many of the schools in the State. On the public 
schools, too, the Tumvereine have had a stimulating effect in 
that they have been influential in introducing and promoting 
systematic gymnastics in the schools. On Sunday, May 19, 
1912, an imposing demonstration by 10,000 of the school chil- 
dren of Denver was given in City Park under the direction of 
the leaders of the three Tumvereine, Jacob Schmitt, Ernst 
Klaffe and Adolph Schmidt, assisted by Robert Schmitt, 
Robert Koch and a number of the public school teachers. 
Various gymnastic exercises, athletic games, drill and Maypole 
and aesthetic dances made an interesting program. The influ- 
ence of the Turnverein is nowhere greater than on the children, 
who, however unconsciously, are receiving unaltered one of the 
best things the Germans have to offer. On the occasions of 
such public exhibits as was cited above, there is tremendous 
enthusiasm in the audience and a universal feeling that the 
German "Turners" are performing an inestimable service in 
Denver. A more subtle influence of these societies is that they 
stimulate a love for the German language. A young man 
whose parents were German, but whose training in the 
language of his fathers was very slight, confessed that it was 
with feelings of the deepest humility and regret that he ob- 
served his failing, when in attendance on the class exercises in 
the Turnhalle. It is customary with German parents, even with 
those who do not feel the importance of teaching their children 
German, to send them to the Turner halls to receive gymnastic 
instruction. In this way many receive the first real impetus to 
attain a proficiency in the German language. 1 

Again, in the theatre, Germans have exerted an influence 
on the social development of Colorado. Denver boasts a well 

1 The Colorado Her old says: "Die Deutschen im ganzen Lande — 
und besonders die Deutschen im Westen — haben eine hohe Kultur- 
mission zu erfiillen, um einerseits den Beweis zu liefern, dass sie auf 
der Hohe der Zeit stehen und den Fortschritt auf erzieherischem Ge- 
biet mit Thatkraft und Unternehmungsgeist zu wtirdigen wissen, an- 
dererseits den Amerikanern durch Veranschaulichung ihres besten Kdn- 
nens und Wissens zu bezeugen, dass die nativistischen Angriffe, die 
allenthalben gegen die Auslander gemacht werden, ganzlich aus der 
Luft gegriffen sind und der Wahrheit entbehren. Es ist deshalb Pflicht 
des gesammten Deutschtums, sich eine Ehre daraus zu machen .... 
fortwahrend fur die gute Sache einzulegen." — April 4, 1912. 

— 46 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

managed German theatre where plays are produced in the 
German language, modern pieces that have been successful in 
Germany, as well as classical pieces. Like the Turnverein, the 
theatre exerts a manifold influence. It is a factor in the educa- 
tional and cultural life and it stimulates public amusement. 

Scores of German citizens in Colorado have ably followed 
professional careers, thus quietly aiding in the social better- 
ment of the community. There have been many examples in 
the medical profession of Germans who have won marked dis- 
tinction. Among them was William Harmon Buchtel, 1 whose 
father was a native of Stuttgart, and who for many years 
practiced medicine in Denver. He became well known both 
for his large practice and through his connection with 
various medical associations. David H. Coover, 2 likewise of 
German parentage, is another of Denver's distinguished med- 
ical scholars, also Oscar Joseph Pfeiffer, at one time visiting 
surgeon of St. Luke's hospital, T. J. Horn, who, by the way, 
was a lineal descendant of Martin Luther, 3 Louis Auerbach, J. 
Ernest Meien and John Eisner. In legislative and judicial 
lines, Germans have shown marked ability. Already in 1860, 
we find a German, Charles Dahler, serving as election judge. 
The Hon. Frederick J. Ebert was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1876 and assisted in framing the funda- 
mental law of the State. The Hon. Silas B. Hahn who was of 
German ancestry, was a member of the Colorado Territorial 

1 Dr. Buchtel has been associated with the State Medical, Denver 
and Arapahoe County and the American Medical Association, was a 
charter member of the Western Association of Obstetrics, was profes- 
sor in the Gross Medical school and physician to St. Luke's Hospital. 

2 Dr. Coover held the position of clinical ophthalmology and otol- 
ogy in Gross Medical College ; he was especially famed as specialist in 
diseases of the eye and ear. He was an active member of the Ameri- 
can Association of Railway Surgeons, the American Medical Society, 
the Colorado State Medical Society, the Denver Pathological Society 
and the Denver and Arapahoe County Medical Society. Cf. Denver 
and Vicinity, pp. 297, 500. 

3 Cf. History of the Arkansas Valley, pp. 389-476, 207-208; History 
of Denver, p. 308; Hall, IV, p. 428. 

— 47 - 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

Legislature of 1870. 1 Among the pioneer dentists of German 
blood in Denver, we mention especially R. H. Bohn and George 
B. Hartung. The sign, "Deutscher Zahnarzt" is now very 
familiar in Denver. 

Robert S. Roeschlaub, a native of Munich, is the architect 
to whom Colorado owes many fine buildings. Two years after 
opening his office in Denver (1873), he was appointed architect 
to the School Board. Nearly all the school buildings are said 
to have been erected under his supervision. Critics grant him 
wider commendation than any other American architect for 
excellence in design and uniform superiority of construction. 2 

Scarcely any profession has figured more prominently in 
the development of Colorado than civil and mining engineer- 
ing. The celebrated founder of the German Colony in the Wet 
Mountain Valley, Carl Wulsten, worked untiringly at this pro- 
fession, becoming an authority in surveying, draughting, map- 
making and engineering. Another German, Max Boehmer, a 
native of Liineburg, located in Colorado in pioneer days and, 
during the years 1879-1898, was consulting mining engineer at 
Leadville. 5 Frederick J. Ebert came to Denver in 1860 with 
an engineering corps to survey the Kansas Pacific Railroad. 
Two years later, he drafted the first map of the Territory and 
assisted in making the first land survey. In 1863 he was 
appointed city engineer of Denver. His surveys are said to 

1 The Hon. A. W. Rucker, while judge of the criminal court of 
Lake County, distinguished himself for his ability, and for the fairness 
with which he carried out his decisions. Cf. History of the Arkansas 
Valley, pp. 207-388. John Heisler, as member of the House of the 
General Assembly, 1892-'94, introduced several important bills, among 
them the bill to charge tuition to students from other States attending 
the State University. Cf. Hall, IV, 472. Hon. Simon Guggenheim, of 
German parentage, was United States Senator from Colorado, 1907-'13. 
E. P. Jacobson, a native Prussian, was for many years a leading lawyer 
in Denver. 

2 Cf. Hall, IV, 345, 551-552. History of Denver, pp. 561. Many 
public buildings in Colorado owe to Mr. Roeschlaub their origin, among 
them the State Normal School at Greeley, the State Institute for the 
Deaf, Mute and Blind at Colorado Springs, many of the buildings of 
Denver University and the Trinity Methodist Church of Denver. 

*Cf. Who's Who in America?— 1908-1909, p. 178. 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

be the only ones that have stood the test of time and of the 
law. 1 

The pages of Colorado's political history abound with 
examples of German citizens who, in office and out, have 
striven successfully for large and important issues. William H. 
Meyer and Frederick J. Ebert, as members of the Constitu- 
tional Convention, aided in the perfecting of Colorado's state- 
hood. William N. Byers, another public-spirited German, 
labored incessantly for the admission of Colorado to the Union. 
A recent Governor of the State, the Hon. John F. Shafroth, a 
German of the second generation, had, before rising to the 
dignity of the gubernatorial chair, an excellent record in the 
practice of the law. While member of Congress (1894-1898), 
he introduced bills providing for the opening of forest reserves 
to exploration and to mining claims, and helped secure the pass- 
age of a bill providing for water reservoir sites at numerous 
points in Colorado and also providing for the protection of the 
forests from fire. 2 Hon. E. P. Jacobson, a Prussian by birth, 
while a member of the Colorado State Senate, introduced and 
vigorously championed a bill for railway regulation. Among 
the German pioneers of 1860 who were members of the legis- 
lature were Hans J. Kruse, a native of Holstein, Louis F. 
Bartels, of Hannover, and Judge Amos Steck, a German by 
descent. 3 As State Senator, Henry Suess, a native of Hesse- 
Cassel, filled well his position as chairman of the roads and 
bridges improvement committee of the legislature, 1885-1886. 
Likewise, in city and county offices, many German citizens 
have held important positions, as : John H. Behrens, a native 
German, mayor, city treasurer, etc., of Evans, Colorado; 
Edward Monash, born in Posen, President of the board of 
Public Works and Park Commissioner, Denver; Rudolph 
Koenig, mayor of Golden ; Samuel Clammer, mayor of Fort 
Collins ; John L. Herzinger, mayor of Loveland ; also August 

1 Name originally Eherhart. Cf. History of Denver, pp. 416-418. 
Denver and Vicinity, p. 400; Hall, IV, p. 431. 

2 Cf. Western Press Bureau, 956 Gas & Electric Bldg., Denver. By 
permission of Gov. Shafroth. 

3 Cf. Hall, IV, pp. 485-486, 490. History of Denver, pp. 587-588. 

— 49 — 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

L. Rohling, Joseph C. Cramer, Charles Seitz, Michael Dueber, 
Albert Walter and Joseph Schutz, who have held positions in 
city councils, etc. 1 

Summarizing the results found in the present chapter, it 
has been shown that the Germans in Colorado have, like their 
fellow countrymen everywhere in the United States, been 
active in religious organizations. They have established and 
supported a large number of German churches in proportion 
to their numbers, besides giving their support to many in which 
the English language is spoken. In addition to their religious 
work, the German churches exert a broadening influence on 
their environment and an educating influence on their attend- 
ants. As it is to Germany that the world has long looked with 
deep respect in matters pertaining to education, so it was to the 
Germans in Colorado that we looked with keen interest to 
learn what they have done for the intellectual life of the State. 
It has been shown in the foregoing pages that they have not 
been found wanting, but that they have been active in promot- 
ing the cause of education. German journalism in Colorado 
strives to inculcate the doctrine of the value of relaxation. By 
keeping this in mind, the German element performs a recog- 

1 County elections for the fall of 1864 had among the successful 
candidates the following: Arapahoe County, judge, H. J. Bredlinger, 
A. Hanauer, Samuel Brantner, William Hess, George C. Schleier ; 
Gilpin County, Assessor, Frank Messenger ; U. S. Assessor, Daniel 
Witter ; Member of House of Representatives, Lake County, Jacob 
Ehrhart ; Alderman, Tritch Kasserman. Cf . Rocky Mountain News, 
September 6, 1864. 

The Territorial Government had the following German representa- 
tives : 
1st Provisional Government — D. Shafer (of a council of 8). 
3d Legislature 1864 — Charles W. Walter, President, J. A. Koontz, H. 

Henson. 
4th Legislature 1865 — Hiram J. Brendlinger, J. H. Ehrhart. 
5th Legislature 1866— Louis F. Bartels, T. C. Bergen, J. C. Ehrhart. 
6th Legislature 1867— Jaocb E. Ehrhart, W. J. Kram. 
7th Legislature 1868— Amos Steck, J. E. Wurtzbach, W. J. Kram, C. 

Leimer. 
8th Legislature 1870— S. B. Hahn, Amos Steck. W. H. Meyer. 
9th Legislature 1872 — B. W. Wisebart, Frederick Steinhauer. 
10th Legislature 1874— F. Steinhauer, J. H. Uhlhorn, W. H. Meyer, 

J. Koontz. 
11th Legislature 1876— S. B. Hahn, Frederick Kruse, H. O. Rettberg, 
Herman Duhne. 

- 50 - 



THE GERMANS OF COLORADO. 

nized service. By encouraging the people to relax they helped 
to produce a better balanced community, one possessing a 
keener zest for work and a capacity for greater accomplish- 
ment. We have seen the struggles of the attempts at a German 
newspaper in Colorado arrive at a happy conclusion. German 
societies, as we have noted, perpetuate the national customs 
for which, unfortunately, many of our immigrants find no 
adequate substitute in the new country. The Turnvereine 
stimulate interest in systematic exercise and in the intelligent 
care of the body. In arousing an interest in the German 
language, these societies influence, as well, the intellectual life 
of their members. Half a dozen professions, not including 
religious and educational fields, have been adorned by men of 
German blood in Colorado. They have, as pioneers, in several 
cases hewn their way through perplexing and disheartening 
conditions, they have promoted the cause in which they were 
especially interested, thus benefiting the entire community. 
Finally, in political life, we have seen many Germans filling 
important positions of trust. From the earliest days, they were 
conspicuous in advancing the cause of the Commonwealth, and 
their zeal has continued up to the present. The Germans in 
Colorado have never been office seekers ; when the situation was 
calm, they were rarely heard in public affairs. It needed only 
the suggestion of a critical situation, however, to call forth 
their reserve Of fighting strength for what they felt to be 
right and conducive to the best interests of the commonwealth. 



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